U.S. patent application number 14/094017 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for multi-piece support for paper roll product.
This patent application is currently assigned to DISPENSING DYNAMICS INTERNATIONAL. The applicant listed for this patent is DISPENSING DYNAMICS INTERNATIONAL. Invention is credited to CHARLES PARKIN DAVIS, ORLANDO PEDRO OCHOA, SR..
Application Number | 20150150422 14/094017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53264044 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150150422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OCHOA, SR.; ORLANDO PEDRO ;
et al. |
June 4, 2015 |
MULTI-PIECE SUPPORT FOR PAPER ROLL PRODUCT
Abstract
A paper roll end support plug includes a first plug member
non-rotatably mounted on a dispenser and a second plug member
inserted in the paper roll end and rotatable relative to the first
plug member, the plug members being in frictional engagement to
prevent overspin of the paper roll during dispensing of paper from
the roll.
Inventors: |
OCHOA, SR.; ORLANDO PEDRO;
(WALNUT, CA) ; DAVIS; CHARLES PARKIN; (TORRANCE,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DISPENSING DYNAMICS INTERNATIONAL |
CITY OF INDUSTRY |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DISPENSING DYNAMICS
INTERNATIONAL
CITY OF INDUSTRY
CA
|
Family ID: |
53264044 |
Appl. No.: |
14/094017 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/596.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2010/3863 20130101;
A47K 2010/3675 20130101; B65H 75/242 20130101; A47K 10/16 20130101;
B65H 75/185 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A roll end support plug connectable to a roll support of a paper
product dispenser for supporting an end of a rotatable paper roll
comprised of wound toweling or tissue defining an elongated central
paper roll opening extending the length thereof, said support plug
comprising, in combination: a first plug member for attachment to a
dispenser roll support with the first plug member non-rotatable
relative to the dispenser roll support; and a second plug member
positionable in the elongated central paper roll opening rotatably
mounted on said first plug member and in frictional engagement with
said first plug member to resist rotation of said second plug
member and the paper roll attached thereto to prevent overspin of
the paper roll when paper product is dispensed from the paper
product dispenser.
2. The roll end support plug according to claim 1 wherein said
second plug member includes attachment structure for attaching said
second plug member to said paper roll and preventing rotation of
said second plug member relative to said paper roll.
3. The roll end support plug according to claim 1 wherein said
paper roll includes a hollow core with toweling or tissue wound
thereabout, said second plug member positionable in said hollow
core, and wherein said attachment structure comprises core
attachment structure for attaching said second plug member to said
core for preventing rotation of said second plug member relative to
said core.
4. The roll support plug according to claim 3 wherein said core
attachment structure is configured to be press fit into the
core.
5. The roll support plug according to claim 1 wherein said first
plug member includes support arm connector structure for attaching
said first plug member to a roll support arm of the dispenser.
6. The roll support plug according to claim 1 wherein said first
plug member includes a projection and said second plug member
includes a receptacle receiving said projection.
7. The roll support plug according to claim 6 additionally
including a connector element for maintaining said projection in
said receptacle while allowing relative rotation between said first
plug member and said second plug member.
8. The roll support plug according to claim 7 wherein said
projection defines a projection interior for receiving a structural
element of the dispenser to prevent rotation of said first plug
member relative to the dispenser.
9. The roll support plug according to claim 6 wherein said first
plug member additionally includes a first flat plate extending
outwardly from said projection and wherein said second plug member
additionally includes a second flat plate extending outwardly from
said receptacle and in abutting engagement with an end of the roll
product when said second plug member is positioned in the elongated
central paper roll opening.
10. The roll support plug according to claim 9 wherein said first
and second flab plates are adjacent to one another.
11. The roll support plug according to claim 6 wherein said
projection includes a plurality of spaced lobe and wherein said
receptacle includes a generally circular shaped inner receptacle
surface engageable with at least one of said lobes.
12. The roll support plug according to claim 11 wherein said
projection comprises a generally horizontal bar having opposed
lobes for simultaneous engagement with the generally circular
shaped inner receptacle surface.
13. The roll support plug according to claim 11 wherein said
generally circular shaped inner receptacle surface includes at
least one inwardly projecting surface portion engageable with at
least one of said spaced lobes during rotation of said second plug
member.
14. The roll support plug according to claim 13 wherein one of said
lobes is an upwardly directed lobe in continuous engagement with
said receptacle inner surface and adopted to periodically lift said
second plug member during rotation of said second plug member.
15. The roll support plug according to claim 13 wherein said
generally circular shaped inner receptacle surface includes a
plurality of said inwardly projecting spaced surface portions.
16. The roll support plug according to claim 6 wherein said
projection has an external partial thread and wherein said
receptacle has a rib engageable with said partial thread.
17. In combination: a roll support of paper product dispenser for
supporting an end of a rotatable paper roll comprised of wound
toweling or tissue defining an elongated central paper roll opening
extending the length thereof; and a roll end support plug including
a first plug member attached to the roll support with the first
plug member non-rotatable relative to the roll support, and a
second plug member positionable in the elongated central paper roll
opening rotatably mounted on said first plug member and in
frictional engagement with said first plug member to resist
rotation of said second plug member and the paper roll attached
thereto to prevent overspin of the paper roll when paper product is
dispensed from said paper product dispenser.
18. The combination of claim 17 wherein said second plug member
includes attachment structure for attaching said second plug member
to said paper roll and preventing rotation of said second plug
member relative to said paper roll.
19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said paper roll includes a
hollow core with toweling or tissue wound thereabout, said second
plug member positionable in said hollow core, and wherein said
attachment structure comprises core attachment structure for
attaching said second plug member to said core for preventing
rotation of said second plug member relative to said cores.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said core attachment
structure is configured to be press fit into the core.
21. The combination of claim 17 wherein said first plug member
includes support arm connector structure for attaching said first
plug member to a roll support arm of the dispenser.
22. The combination according to claim 17 wherein said first plug
member includes projection and said second plug member includes a
receptacle receiving said projection.
23. The combination of claim 22 additionally including a connector
element for maintaining said projection in said receptacle while
allowing relative rotation between said first plug member and said
second plug member.
24. The combination of claim 23 wherein said projection defines a
projection interior receiving a structural element of the dispenser
to prevent rotation of said first plug member relative to the
dispenser.
25. The combination of claim 22 wherein said first plug member
additionally includes a first flat plate extending outwardly from
said projection and wherein said second plug member additionally
includes a second flat plate extending outwardly from said
receptacle and in abutting engagement with an end of the roll
product when said second plug member is positioned in the elongated
central paper roll opening.
26. The combination of claim 24 wherein said first and second flat
plates are in abutting, slidable engagement.
27. The combination of claim 22 wherein said projection includes a
plurality of spaced lobes and wherein said receptacle includes a
generally circular shaped inner receptacle surface engageable with
at least one of said lobes.
28. The combination of claim 27 wherein said projection comprises a
generally horizontal bar having opposed lobes for simultaneous
engagement with the generally circular shaped inner receptacle
surface.
29. The combination of claim 27 wherein said generally circular
shaped inner receptacle surface includes at least one inwardly
projecting surface portion engageable with at least one of said
spaced lobes during rotation of said second plug member.
30. The roll combination of claim 29 wherein one of said lobes is
an upwardly directed lobe in continuous engagement with said
receptacle inner surface and adapted to periodically lift said
second plug member during rotation of said second plug member.
31. The combination of claim 29 wherein said generally circular
shaped inner receptacle surface includes a plurality of said
inwardly projecting spaced surface portions.
32. The combination according to claim 22 wherein said projection
has an external partial thread and wherein said receptacle has a
rib engageable with said partial thread.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a multi-piece support for paper
roll products and more particularly to a roil end support plug
connectable to a roll support of a paper product dispenser for
supporting an end of a rotatable paper roll.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Core plugs have been used with rolls of paper toweling and
the like for many years. Such arrangements are conventionally of
single piece construction and are often used to ensure that a roll
of product can be utilized with specific dispensers. Exemplary core
plugs are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,191,979 and 7,537,180. If a
customer tries to use a universal toweling roll without the core
plug, the roll will either fall off of the roll supports or
dispensing of the product will be greatly degraded.
[0003] Conventional core plugs can have a number of disadvantages.
For example, roll overspin can occur. That is, during dispensing of
the product from a dispenser the supply roll of paper product can
rotate too far and interfere with continued dispensing of the
product. Overspin can create negative dispensing issues especially
when the dispensers incorporate self-cutting mechanisms, such as
drum mounted tear blade systems. One adverse result is double
sheeting. On fast pulls by a user of the dispenser the drum can
over-rotate, dispensing the next sheet still attached to the first.
Furthermore, the overspun toweling has no tension against the tear
blade which can reduce cutting effectiveness. Tabbing is another
undesirable result. Due to shock force in the toweling created by a
subsequent user to get the roll spinning, tab portions of the lead
end of the toweling will break away. The shock force can also
reduce tail length if it occurs after the cut is made by a
dispenser blade.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0004] The present invention encompasses a roll end support plug of
unique character which provides overspin control through friction
occurring between inner and outer plug members of the support plug.
Resin selection can be used to tune a desired amount of friction.
The amount of friction is proportional to the weight of the product
roll and is highest with a full roll and diminishes as the roll is
exhausted. In general, when utilizing prior art support plugs
overspin is most likely to occur with full rolls and diminish as
the moment of inertia decreases with roll exhaustion.
[0005] In addition, the support plug of the present invention
allows flush mounting on a paper product roll. This eliminates the
need for extra pads in the shipping case for the rolls. Many core
plugs or supports have a male projection which extends from the
roll towel. This projection must be protected in the paper case to
protect the plug during shipping and stacking. Plugs of this nature
use and require a slotted cardboard pad that rests on top of the
roll to carry the stacking loads, keeping the loads off of the core
plug. This necessity no longer exists with the flush roll mounting
provided by the support plug of the present invention.
[0006] As described in greater detail below, the roll end support
plug of the present invention includes first and second plug
members, one attached to a roll support of a dispenser and the
other affixed to an end of a roll product and rotatable with the
roll product relative to the plug member attached to the dispenser
roll support. This results in reduced wear of dispenser roll
supports because instead of having a spinning hub roll support,
that wear is transferred to the spinning core plug member which
only has to last the life of one roll whereas the dispenser is
expected to last for many hundreds of rolls.
[0007] The roll end support plug of the present invention is
connectable to a roll support of a paper product dispenser for
supporting an end of a rotatable paper roll comprised of wound
toweling or tissue defining an elongated central paper roll opening
extending the length thereof.
[0008] The support plug includes a first plug member for attachment
to a dispenser roll support with the first plug member
non-rotatable relative to the dispenser roll support.
[0009] A second plug member is positionable in the elongated
central paper roll opening and is rotatably mounted on the first
plug member and in frictional engagement with the first plug member
to resist rotation of the second plug member and the paper roll
attached thereto to prevent overspin of the paper roll when paper
product is dispensed from the paper product dispenser. Other
features, advantages and objects of the present invention will
become apparent with reference to the following description and
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment
of roll and support plug of this invention mounted on one of a pair
of dispenser roll support arms, the roll and support arm inserted
into a core of a paper towel roll shown in dash lines;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a detailed, cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view showing the two plug
members of the support plug separated and prior to installation of
the support plug on a dispenser support arm;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an end of the assembled
first embodiment support plug;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the
other end of the assembled support plug of the first
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side, elevational view of the assembled first
embodiment support plug;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a
second embodiment of the support plug;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the second
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating the
second embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the
second embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the
second embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the
second embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the
second embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a
third embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the
third embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating the
third embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the
third embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the
third embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the
third embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the
third embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a
fourth embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the
fourth embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating the
fourth embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the
fourth embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the
fourth embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the
fourth embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the
fourth embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating a
fifth embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the
fifth embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 31 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the fifth
embodiment taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 3
[0041] FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the
fifth embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 33 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the
fifth embodiment; and
[0043] FIG. 34 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the fifth
embodiment taken along the line 34-34 of FIG. 33.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a first embodiment of the
subject invention is illustrated. A roll end support plug
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention is identified by reference numeral 10. FIGS. 1 and 2 show
the support plug 10 attached to one of the paper roll support arms
12 of a paper towel dispenser, the dispenser not being shown in its
entirety and which may be of any suitable known type. FIG. 1 shows
the support plug 10 inserted into the core 14 of a paper towel roll
16 comprised of toweling wound about the core in the conventional
manner. The teachings of the present invention are also applicable
to roll tissue products.
[0045] The support plug 10 is comprised of two plug members 18 and
20 preferably of injection molded plastic. Plug member 18 may be
considered the inner plug member and the plug member 20 may be
considered the outer plug member. Plug member 18 is keyed to the
roll support arm 12 to prevent rotation of the plug member 18. The
plug member 20 is connected to the plug member 18 to prevent axial
separation, but the connection allows the plug member 20 to rotate
on the plug member 18. The plug member 20 is press-fit into the
toweling core 14 and rotates With the paper towel roll.
[0046] The plug member 20 is in frictional engagement with the plug
member 18 to resist rotation of plug member 20 and the paper roll
16 attached thereto to prevent overspin of the paper roll when
paper product is dispensed from the paper product dispenser.
[0047] Plug member 20 includes attachment structure for attaching
the plug member 20 to the core of the paper roll and preventing
rotation of the plug member 20 relative to the paper roll. In the
arrangement illustrated, the attachment structure includes
wedge-shaped members 24 which project from the central or
receptacle portion 26 of the plug member 20. The wedge-shaped
members 24 resist removal of the plug member 20 from the core after
being inserted in place as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example.
Plug member 20 also includes a flat plate 28 that extends outwardly
from the receptacle 26 and is in abutting engagement with the
associated end of the roll product when the plug member 20 is
positioned in the elongated central paper roll opening.
[0048] Plug member 18, the inner plug member, includes a flat plate
30 and a projection 32 having a horizontal bar configuration
extending outwardly from the plate. The projection 32 defines a
projection interior which receives an elongated horizontally
disposed portion 34 of the associated support arm 12. This
arrangement prevents plug member 18 from rotating relative to the
support arm.
[0049] Plug member 18 additionally includes a connector element 36
extending from projection 32. The connector element 36 is of
snap-in construction and has an enlarged bifurcated distal end
which extends through receptacle 26 of plug member 20 and projects
through an opening at the end thereof. Flat plates 28, 30 are
adjacent to one another when the plug members 18, 20 are secured
together. The flat plates slidably engage.
[0050] Projection 32 of plug member 18 is a generally horizontal
bar having opposed lobes 40 which simultaneously engage the
generally circular-shaped inner surface of receptacle 26. This
provides the advantageous frictional relationship indicated
above.
[0051] FIGS. 8-14 disclose a second embodiment of the invention. In
this embodiment an inner plug member 50 and outer plug member 52 of
support plug 54 are utilized. Support plug 54 differs from support
plug 10 in that the plug member 50 is oriented vertically so that
the bar-like projection 56 thereof has opposed lobes 58 at the top
and bottom ends thereof. Also, in this embodiment the receptacle 60
of outer plug member 52 has a generally circular-shaped inner
receptacle surface including bumps in the form of inwardly
projecting spaced surface portions 62. This bump feature will slow
down the rotation of the outer plug member 52 as the bumps serially
engage the uppermost lobe 58. The force of gravity creates the
desired friction and a small lifting of the outer plug member 52
and towel roll which slows the roll down.
[0052] FIGS. 15-21 show a third embodiment of support plug 70 which
includes an inner plug member 72 and an outer plug member 74. This
embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-14, except
that the bumps 76 on the inner surface of the receptacle 78 are two
in number in this particular embodiment and more pronounced, i.e.
the inner diameter surface is less smooth. In this embodiment the
bumps make contact with the entire surface of the inner plug member
72 whereas in the second embodiment the bumps only engage the end
radius of the outer plug member. Also, in this third embodiment the
projection 80 has three lobes 82.
[0053] FIGS. 22-28 show a fourth embodiment of support plug 90. In
this embodiment, inner plug 92 has a partial thread 94 oriented to
be on the top. The outer plug member 96 has a rib 98 at the inner
surface thereof which frictionally engages the partial thread.
[0054] FIGS. 29-34 show a fifth embodiment of support plug 100. In
this embodiment a connector element 102 is located inside of outer
plug member 104. The connector element 102 is of snap-in
construction and has an enlarged bifurcated distal end which is
positioned in a central opening formed in inner plug member 106 to
hold the plug members together and allow rotation therebetween.
[0055] The hollow projection 108 of inner plug member 106 has three
outwardly extending lobes or portions 110 having conical contact
faces 112 which are in continuous contact with the conical inner
surface 114 of the outer plug member. The surface 114 is smooth,
continuous and free of bumps.
* * * * *